It can be aggressive in some climates and may self seed readily.

Does it need pruning?

Pruning in early spring helps maintain a tidy shape and encourages fresh growth.

Plant guide

Tutsan.

Hypericum androsaemum

Pronounced hy-PEER-ih-kum an-dro-SEE-mum

Also known as Bible-leaf, Sweet-amber

Tutsan is a lovely semi evergreen shrub that brings a touch of wild beauty to the garden. It produces bright yellow flowers followed by showy berries that change from red to black. It is a hardy plant that fits well in woodland settings or mixed borders.

Another photo of Tutsan — Photo by Kieran Roy Powell (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Shrub
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 9
Bloom time: Early to late summer

Care

Plant this shrub in well draining soil and provide regular moisture while it gets established. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate poor drainage or too much shade. Prune back any damaged stems in early spring to encourage fresh growth.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Trim back the plant in early spring to maintain its shape and remove dead wood.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound or needs fresh soil.
Soil: Moist but well drained soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -15 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: All parts of the plant can cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep children away from the berries as they are attractive but potentially harmful if eaten.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause photosensitivity in some individuals upon skin contact.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: The berries are generally considered inedible or mildly toxic to humans and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Opposite, oval shaped green leaves
Bright yellow star shaped flowers
Clusters of fleshy red berries
Berries turn glossy black when ripe
Semi evergreen foliage habit

Height: 0.6 to 1m
Spread: 0.6 to 1m
Leaves: green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: yellow, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: red, black, Autumn

Problems to watch for

RustCommon
AphidsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your tutsan from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder regions, apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect the roots. Cut back any frost damaged stems in early spring.
In containers: It grows well in large containers with good drainage, but requires regular watering.

Softwood Cuttings

1. Take 10cm cuttings in early summer.
2. Remove lower leaves.
3. Dip in rooting hormone.
4. Place in moist, well-draining soil.
5. Keep in a warm, bright spot until rooted.

Plant in groups to create a dense ground cover that suppresses weeds effectively.

Grows well with

Foxglove · They share similar light and moisture requirements in woodland settings.
Hosta · The contrasting leaf textures look lovely together in shady borders.

Similar species

St. John's Wort · It is a related species with similar yellow flowers but different medicinal properties.

Science

Family: Hypericaceae
Genus: Hypericum
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Western and Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.
Conservation: This plant is not of conservation concern and is considered a weed in some regions.

It thrives in woodland margins and hedgerows where it competes well for light and moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides berries for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental shrub, ground cover, cut foliage for arrangements

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is Tutsan invasive?: It can be aggressive in some climates and may self seed readily.
Does it need pruning?: Pruning in early spring helps maintain a tidy shape and encourages fresh growth.

Where the name comes from

Hypericum is an ancient Greek name of uncertain origin, while androsaemum means man's blood, referring to the red juice of the berries.

Good to know

The berries change color from red to glossy black as they ripen.
It is a tough, reliable plant for difficult garden spots.
It often self seeds freely in the garden.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your tutsan growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.